The 2023 BMW XM In Sao Paolo Yellow Is As Histrionic As You’d Expect

There’s no denying that the BMW XM is a controversial vehicle in many respects. On top of the fact that a huge, full size SUV is now BMW’s only current standalone M model and a spiritual successor (of heavy sorts) to the M1, the design of the vehicle itself has left many opinions split. Now, the controversy only continues with this XM, which is finished in a bright Sao Paolo Yellow.

As we can see in these photos by our friend Cole Marzen on Instagram as well as the video from the folks at BMWBlog, the XM’s ostentatious design, with its squinting headlights, gaping grille, wraparound taillights, and stacked trapezoidal exhausts, is only made even bolder thanks to the neon yellow hue it’s painted in. That being said, it’s worth noting that Sao Paolo Yellow won’t be available to order until next summer.

Read More: The 2023 BMW XM Configurator Is Officially Live And Our Build Doesn’t Make It Any Less Offensive

But as controversial of a vehicle as the XM is, BMW M’s CEO actually gave some pretty sound reasoning behind its existence. In an interview with Autoblog, Frank van Meel likened the XM to an equally bold super SUV: the Lamborghini Urus.

Sure, the XM’s design might be a little more unorthodox than the Urus, but both are aggressive, in-your-face V8 performance SUVs with over 600 hp (608 PS / 447 kW). And as much as enthusiasts love to hate the Urus, it’s Lamborghini’s fastest-selling model. At the end of the day, these companies are businesses that need to make money, so we can certainly see how the XM makes sense for BMW, at least from a financial standpoint.

Thanks to Cole Marzen for sharing his images with us!